AT&T and VITAS Healthcare, the nation’s leading provider
of end-of-life care, have launched a study that intends to combine 5G with
virtual reality and augmented reality (VR and AR) to test if it can help reduce
chronic pain and anxiety for certain hospice patients. The study aims to assess
a potential alternative therapy that is easier for caregivers to implement at a
time and place that makes the patient most comfortable during this most
difficult time. This mobile solution using immersive technology is a good use
case for testing the potential for 5G speeds and low latency to help patients
and families in need.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to enhance the
patient experience and bring comfort to our patients and their families as they
receive end-of-life care,” said Patrick Hale, Chief Information Office of VITAS
Healthcare. “We not only chose AT&T for its technology expertise, but for
its vision to use technology to help improve care. Our goal is to eventually
expand VR and AR capabilities to our hospice patients across the country that
could benefit from them.”

The study, launched in January 2019 at a nationally recognized
cancer center in Southern California, evaluates multiple aspects including
patient feedback, VR and AR content effectiveness and technology delivery
options. The first module will focus on the effect of the content toward
enhancing a patient’s comfort level through the VR and AR experience. For
example, to help calm an anxious patient they might take a virtual walk through
a field along a tranquil stream or even journey to Machu Picchu in Peru.

“As a pioneer of the
hospice benefit, VITAS remains committed to improving patient well-being near
the end of life through pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments,” said
Dr. Joseph Shega, senior vice president and chief medical officer of VITAS
Healthcare. “VR and AR has the potential to be a new alternative therapy that
will hopefully benefit patients by decreasing symptom burden while increasing
quality of life. Moreover, the technology could offer a unique opportunity for
patients and families to do things virtually that were previously not possible
in a physical sense, such as traveling to remote destinations together.”

The second module will focus on making the content mobile.
Hospice patients are often cared for in their homes. Large video files will
therefore need to be downloaded or streamed remotely. The technology aspect of
the study will demonstrate how on-demand downloading and streaming of content
might be supported over mobile networks including 5G.

AT&T will provide the necessary services throughout the
study including the video content and mobility network. Study participants will
view content via Magic Leap One Lightwear headsets. Eventually, the headsets
will be taken to a field location in one of the AT&T 5G cities. A 5G mobile
hotspot will be used to test content download and streaming over 5G.

“Our work with VITAS demonstrates the digital transformation
taking place in another important part of the healthcare spectrum. Providers
are trying to use technology in unique ways to improve care for their
patients,” said Mo Katibeh, Chief Marketing Officer, AT&T Business. “The
use of immersive technologies, and how they can be used by businesses to
fundamentally change the daily lives of their employees and customers,
demonstrates the promise of 5G and how it will shape our society in the coming
years.”

This study with VITAS, along with the recent announcement
with Rush System for Health, demonstrates the steps AT&T is taking to
prepare customers for potential healthcare benefits derived from 5G.